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I am still taking a break from my normal routine; however; I did come across a Bike Cruller today that answers a request posted early in the life of this thread. I hope you enjoy it with your morning coffee.

This was the first Bike Cruller in this thread.

When asked if I had a picture of the entire bike I replied I did not. I have been searching and following various sources and threads I follow. I found these two over on 8Negro.

I have some feelers out but can tell you nothing about the bike beyond posting these new pictures. I will let you know when and if I know more.

Some of these seem a bit of a stretch but Hell for Leather Magazine lists and explains ten reasons we should be excited about electric motorcycles.

cyrilhuzeblog.com: The best choice right now. Bank repossessed motorcycles.
On one level this has always been an interesting idea as a way to buy a project bike; on another it points to another form of market inventory that must be worked through before manufacturers will begin to show increased sales figures.
-related-argusleader.com: Repo man uses handcuffs, stun gun to take mans Harley-Davidson
The comments from readers are the fun part of this story.

At one time I did watch the OCC boys and enjoyed it, even learned a couple of things that could be transferred to other areas. I gave up when the dysfunctional family stuff got in the way, way to much. Just when you didn‘«÷t think the Tutles couldn‘«÷t be any more dysfunctional this comes along. ]tmz.com ‘«Ű O.C. Choppers ‘«Ű Dad sues gearhead son.

AMA Pro Racing Press Release December 29

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (December 30, 2009) - Roger Edmondson will be leaving his position as Chairman, Managing Member and Chief Executive Officer of AMA Pro Racing effective January 1, 2010.

Edmondson, a pioneer in motorcycle racing and one of the original Managing Members of the AMA Pro Racing organization, will be leaving to deal with some unforeseen health issues that necessitate his full attention.

"Roger's health is first and foremost in our minds," said David Atlas, Chief Operating Officer, AMA Pro Racing. "Roger's significant, multi-decade contribution to motorcycle racing is well known but nothing is more important than his health."

Edmondson will available to consult with the management of AMA Pro Racing but his official duties will be reallocated among the other current Managing Members, David Atlas, Tom Bledsoe and Chris Harris.

The 2010 AMA Pro Racing season will again open at the famous Daytona International Speedway, March 3-5, headlined by the Daytona 200 held under the lights at the 2.5-mile World Center of Racing followed by a full season of Road Racing, Flat Track and Motocross events.

X-raid Team presented alongside total team involved the Dakar Rally Argentina Chile 2010.
30.12.2009
Press release
After a successful sponsorship during the 2009 Dakar, TOTAL is once again the official sponsor of the team X-Raid BMW Team, led by Sven Quandt, Director General of the computer. This computer was presenting yesterday to the press in the Dakar Village.

Team that competes with BMW X 3 CC units are vast international experience pilots:

St?ģphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret
Nani Roma and Michel Perin Guerlain Chicherit and Tina Th?¬rner.
Leonid Novitskiy and Andreas Schulz.
Total will bring all its expertise in logistics, fuels and lubricants is concerned, provide support to the team during the next Rally Dakar Argentina Chile 2010.

In addition, TOTAL official sponsor of the Dakar Rally by 18th consecutive year, has accompanied this legendary event in these years providing fuel during the entire route, being the only oil company capable of supplying the most inhospitable places in the world.

Sven Quandt statements
"After our successful experience in 2009, is again a pleasure for the X-raid team visit this region for the 2010 version of Argentina Chile Dakar Rally, the greatest challenge of the new year." "We are convinced that cooperation with total will lead to very positive results and cannot wait to cross the line of rulebook and transform our joint efforts into a reality."

Statements Diego Tricci
"For TOTAL is a great satisfaction be X-raid Team sponsor for the second consecutive year." "The 2009 Dakar threw as a result an excellent experience and complementarity, being this year, without a doubt one of the teams is planned as a serious candidate to get first place".

Check out the official promotion video of the Dakar 2010 Argentina&Chile (NL version) - "Same places, new adventure!" (video created by the A.S.O. Dakar Organization Committee)

I was zipping through my feeds when I came to Motorcycle Picture of the Day : BMW R100CS and wondered where have I seen this picture before? Maybe here? The bike may be located in ‘«£Marin By God County, California‘«ō but my bet is the picture is going viral across the internet.

bmwblog.com is a cage blog. They have a little piece about the S1000RR titled ‘«£BMW flouts politics and unleashes a monster.‘«ō The article centers around the MCN dyno test previously posted in this thread showing the S to be the current production hp bike king. BLAH BLAH BLAH What really caught my attention was this paragraph.

‘«£The demographic BMW are targeting with this bike are not ‘«ˇnew learner‘«÷ teenagers, in fact, BMW refuse to sell their high output motorcycles to anyone short of experience on medium class bikes. My local Toronto Motorrad dealer takes pride in this policy, and as a Toronto Medic, I‘«÷m proud of them for it.‘«ō

This is the first that I have heard of this. Are any Canadian members aware of this?

Buell.com is up and running even if the company is not. Along with deep discounts and a two year unlimited mileage warranty they have added a bike locator feature to the site to help you find out were the last ones are in the US. 1277 left as I write this. Check it out an see how many are left when you visit the site.

Normally there are several dealer threads running on the forum at any given time. They cover a variety of issues, complaints and rants. Dealernews has a piece for dealers on how they can protect themselves from pollution liability. The article has a link to a bulletin from Zurich the insurance company. Naturally they want to sell insurance to dealers but for this threads readers it will give an insight into the issues dealers face with pollution and some ideas to manage them that we could possibly adapt to our own garages.

Cutting edge technology that is taken into manufacturing often turns into bleeding edge technology that ends up on the floor of a bankruptcy court. That is where Vectrix Electrics found themselves July of this year after being an early leader in developing scooters and their impressive electric superbike. AutoblogGreen is running a story that GP Batteries has purchased the company for a modest $5 million dollars consisting of cash and debt assumption. What they will do with the company, scooters and the electric superbike is unknown.

A link from a reader ‘«Ű BMW motorcycle technology for the physically handicapped bikers.flv

WSBK et al. ‘«£The demographic BMW are targeting with this bike are not ‘«ˇnew learner‘«÷ teenagers, in fact, BMW refuse to sell their high output motorcycles to anyone short of experience on medium class bikes. My local Toronto Motorrad dealer takes pride in this policy, and as a Toronto Medic, I‘«÷m proud of them for it.‘«ō

The day I see a dealer decline a sale to a paying customer, I'll $#!+ a brick.

I am glad to see american roadracing washing its hands of Roger Edmundson, but fear it may be a case of too little, too late. The damage done is teetering on the edge of total.
It seems to me, that the France family's business plan is to sow seeds of self-destruction in any (two or four wheeled) race series competing with NASCAR, to lure away the big-name draws, and kill business at any venue which isn't in their pocket, and to dominate TV coverage. The trick to building a monopoly isn't to eliminate the competition directly, but to make it look like an accident.

Monday, January 11

I am starting the new year by doing a bunch of catching up. Here are a couple of things from BMW.

WSBK et al.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport - New team management for Superbike World Championship.
‘«ů 07.01.2010
‘«ů Press Release
New team management for the Superbike World Championship.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Davide Tardozzi reach agreement.

Munich/Stephanskirchen, 07January 2010. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is restructuring its team management in the Superbike World Championship. Davide Tardozzi (50) has been appointed to a senior position at Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport with immediate effect. The Italian will head up team management and operational control at the race tracks in the Superbike World Championship.

Up to now, Rainer B?Ůumel (43) has been responsible for engineering, team management and team organisation in his capacity as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Project Manager in the Superbike World Championship. B?Ůumel will continue as Head of Project Management and Project Management Engineering.

The collaboration between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Tardozzi is part of a package of measures aimed at optimising the competitiveness of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in the Superbike World Championship. In his role as Team Manager, Tardozzi will look after the operational management of the team at races and tests, act as an interface between the team and the promoters and organisers of the Superbike World Championship, and provide a link to suppliers.

‘«£I am delighted finally to be able to announce our partnership with Davide Tardozzi,‘«ō said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Berthold Hauser. ‘«£The new structure ensures that the team will be well set up for the future. Team management and team organisation are important areas in which we can see further potential for improvement. The key here is to approach every situation in a structured and target-led way. This applies to both general processes and tactical decisions with a direct influence over performance. With his many years of experience in the sport, Davide will play a decisive role here. At the same time, the restructuring will allow Rainer B?Ůumel to fully focus on the core areas of overall project management and engineering.‘«ō

Tardozzi said: ‘«£I imagine a lot of people will be surprised to hear of my decision to join BMW. However, for me the decision was simple. I had offers from MotoGP, but my heart is in the Superbike World Championship and I feel at home here. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is a young and hungry team, and that gives me the challenge I have been looking for. I‘«÷m looking forward to working behind the scenes to the benefit of the team. I know that I can fulfil this role at BMW. Of course, already knowing our riders Troy and Ruben well makes my job easier. 2010 will be a tough year, as there are many good riders and teams in the Superbike World Championship. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that BMW can take a big step forward over the coming year.‘«ō

Tardozzi rode in motorcycle races himself from 1984 to 1992. In his first two seasons he competed in the 250 cc World Championship and later moved to the Superbike class. He finished third in the 1988 Superbike World Championship after racking up five race wins, and in 1991 he secured the European Superbike Championship title. Tardozzi has remained involved ‘«Ű and continued to enjoy success ‘«Ű in motorcycle racing since bringing the curtain down on his career as a rider. Since 1995, as a team principal, he has won a total of nine manufacturers‘«÷ titles and eight riders‘«÷ titles in the Superbike World Championship.

On the Street

Motorrad sales showed the only negative sales numbers as the BMW Group reported a December world wide sales increase of 10.1% for the group. All of the auto brands show sales increases for the closing month of what will be a down year for all segments.

BMW Motorrad sold 5,360 bikes world wide in December 2009, down 28.1% from their 2008 sales of 7,457 units. Preliminary year to date numbers show BMW selling 87,306 bikes. This is down 14.1% from the 101,685 sold in 2008.

No sales numbers for the US market have been released. BMW Canada did release numbers and shows y-t-d Motorrad sales of 1830 units and closed strongly in December selling 66 units for a 43% increase over 2008.

BMW Motorrad Canada finished the year with a total of 1,830 motorcycles sold, an increase of 4 per cent over 2008. December sales of 66 units represent a 43 per cent decrease in sales over the same period last year.

The auto section of the transportation industry appears to have found bottom and is showing signs of increases. Japanese manufacturers joined BMW in reporting improved auto sales in recent months. The US manufacturers are showing signs they have found bottom. Commercial vehicle sales are still showing negative numbers in Europe, Japan and NA but this segment too is showing signs of finding the bottom. Motorcycle sales are the one segment that continues in a sales free fall in most markets.

Tuesday, January 12

WSBK et al.

The 2009 WSBK season kicked off in South Africa. The 2010 season gets underway this year at Portimao next week. The Portuguese track, the venue for the final round of the 2009 season three months ago, will once again be the location for the year's first World Superbike and World Supersport action as all the top teams and riders prepare for the coming season.

A total of fourteen hours of testing for World Superbike and nine for World Supersport are scheduled. No news on BMW‘«÷s factory or satellite team‘«÷s participation at this point. WSBK will announce participating teams soon.

MotoGP

motorgp.com: FIM detail the changes in regulations for the 2010 season.

motorcyclenews.com: Engine restrictions ‘«ˇdaunting‘«÷ says Jerry Burgess
Cost cutting comes to MotoGP in the form of engine life. The six engine limit has team managers working backwards through the 2010 calendar as they plan their engine strategy.

e-Racing

asphaltandrubber.com: Mavizen introduces factory support service, training and insurance for the TTX02

autosport.com: USF1 granted extra testing days.
Windsor spins this as ‘«£an example of how the FIA and the teams have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome.‘«ō I suspect it is more a case of how far behind the curve they are and the FIA and teams doing anything in their power to make certain there is a full field. USF1 has had the most time to prepare of any of the new teams yet continues to look behind the curve. Only Campos is a bigger question mark for who will be on the grid for the first race.

Mean while Lotus F1, the last team the next to last team to be given a spot on the 2010 grid is set to announce its car a week early and Sauber has set January 31 2p.m. local time in Valencia as its debut time. After 18+ months Windsor can only say things are coming together.

McLaren reorganizes itself for the 2010 season. Fans will read many things into this but with a new driver and a changed relationship with Mercedes the devil is in the team‘«÷s organizational details for a driver or constructor championship bid.

Nick Heidfeld sends us his greetings and updates us ‘«Ű no news is still news in F1 ‘«Ű about his 2010 plans.

‘«£First of all, I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year and express my sincere thanks to my fans for the enormous number of Christmas and New Year‘«÷s greetings, which were also posted on my website.

Of course over the holidays my current job situation did not let go of me, even after Michael Schuhmacher‘«÷s decision was published just before Christmas. This is certainly a great thing for Formula 1 and I wish good luck to Michael and Mercedes. This decision affects me directly because it means there is a relevant less space for next year. I am not naive when I say, especially after the past few weeks, a lot of unexpected things can happen in Formula 1. Now we have to look forward and focus on the best long-term option for my future in Formula 1. I will continue to train hard, conduct talks with the appropriate people and to challenge my chance with all my might.

I am happy about posting something new soon and I hope in the coming weeks to be able to announce something concrete about my future plans.‘«ō

Rumors persist that Heidfeld will rejoin his old teammate Robert Kubica at Renault F1

Strong Dealer Network, New Products, Make BMW Best Performing Motorcycle Company in America

Woodcliff Lake, NJ ‘«Ű January 11, 2010‘«™ According to just-released Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reports, BMW Motorrad USA outperformed all of its competitors in 2009. Despite a U.S. motorcycle market that declined 41 percent and lost nearly 360,000 units, BMW motorcycle sales only declined 22 percent, which was the smallest decline among all motorcycle brands. This follows on the heels of 2008 when BMW Motorrad USA was one of only two motorcycle manufacturers to post positive growth.

‘«£Our dedicated dealers were the key to our success this past year,‘«ō commented Todd Andersen, BMW Motorrad USA Marketing Manager. ‘«£Despite the tough market, they continued serve our customers well and promote our new products like the K 1300 S and the K 1300 GT. They were supported by attractive financing programs from BMW Financial Services. While many other dealers struggled to finance their customers‘«÷ purchases, BMW dealers never lost access to good financing, and this will continue for 2010.‘«ō

‘«£We expect significant sales growth in 2010,‘«ō said Andersen, ‘«£on the strength of the launch of the production version of the S 1000 RR Superbike, the most powerful and sophisticated sport bike ever produced. Our dealers have confirmed deposits on over 600 bikes and deliveries to customers will begin January 26.‘«ō

Also slated for the coming year are new versions of BMW Motorrad‘«÷s most popular models: the R 1200 GS, the R 1200 GS Adventure and the R 1200 RT.

End of press release

Roehr Motorcycles, best known for its seductive H-D V-twin superbike, is going electric. Gizmag.com say Roehr is set to unveil a 96 bhp electric sports motorcycle.

telegraph.co.uk/finance: Come back ‘«Ű Not for all the scooters in China
A British entrepreneur tells his tale of building high end scooters in China for import into the British/Euro market.

File this under topics to discuss around the campfire. Bikes from the past/current decade may still be too new to think of collectables as the first decade of the new millennium either ended or about to end (depending on how strict you are on this). The 90‘«÷s are another story.

motoaus.com: Collectible motorcycles from the 90s
As you scan this article keep in mind it is from ‘«ˇdown under‘«÷. Not all of the models were available to us. What do you think of their list and more importantly what bikes built in the 90‘«÷s would you add to the list?

I have been looking at green bikes of late, Kawasaki green that is.motorcyclistonline.com: $3000 street bike surgery - Kawasaki KLR650 motorcycle
Motorcyclists asks the same question I have been asking myself. ‘«£The question, then, is can you make a 1987-2007 KLR650 perform as well as a 2008 and later model? And if so, at what cost?‘«ō

Today‘«÷s treat comes by way of the blog 8Negro without any explanation or attribution.
The bike sports a California plate with a San Jose BMW license plate frame. Anyone out there able to tell us more about this R75/5?

My nominee is Tadao Baba's 1992 Honda CBR900RR, aka "Fireblade" in europe. This was the original open class (remember, superbikes were 750's at the time) sportbike which strived to be as light as a 600cc supersport; it actually weighed less. Throw in a 16" front wheel, 54.5" wheelbase, and 120 HP, and you have a bike which is still a blast to ride today, and still looks great. I love those timeless round headlights and the lightening holes in the fairing.

A different kind of bike racing takes a different approach to writing rules.egrandprix.com: TTXGP 2011 ‘«Ű Wiki Rules of Engagement
‘«£World first, TTXGP 2011 rule book goes wiki... Your chance to be part of the change.‘«ō

reuters.com: Ecclestone proposes Grand Prix short cuts.
I want a lid of what Bernie is smoking.

Bike Cruller

Not another restoration this is a New Model Henderson K! Ok new model with heavy emphasis on model. Caradisiac.com is the latest site to come under the spell of master modeler Pere Tarrag??. His models 1:5 or 1;6 scale built using original drawings pictures and plans. Each represents roughly 400 plus hours of work and sells for about ‘ťľ1,500.http://www.motoscalatarrago.com/